I couldn't resist the blanket of snow over the entire county this morning
and detoured en route to work via Guthrie Road between Fishersville and
Stuart's draft, a locally fabled spot to search for flocks of open field
birds. The snow-covered fallow and cut corn fields did not disappoint. I
promptly encountered one flock of 50-60 birds, all of which I could see were
Horned Larks. By the farm with the feed lots there was an even larger
flock, probably 125-150 birds, the vast majority larks. However, there were
3 Lapland Longspurs and at least one American Pipit within this flock as it
repeatedly flew about and landed. These birds were foraging in the muddy
tire tracks and slush in the farm lane. After I turned off the truck engine
they came close enough to see the "horns" on the larks and the long spurs on
the longspurs. I pored over both flocks repeatedly, hoping to find a Snow
Bunting, but could not. Chances are Allen Larner will retrace these tracks
this weekend and find some. As I drove back out a juvenile Northern Harrier
was cruising in the distance. Got to work an hour late. (My colleague
thinks I stopped to help a stuck motorist. Shhh!)
John Spahr
Waynesboro
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